The Heartwood [m] In what appears to be a ritual "Godspeak" song of the Rieklings

There was a soft simplicity to the moment, the kind of unfaltering acceptance that could only be fostered between children bearing wounds too deep to ever heal. Ana was too young to know what to do with the surge of affection and possession rushing through her veins. This was a feeling only her littermates had ever inspired in her, but she knew that she would never see this boy as a brother. She knew that this devotion would run deeper, if only for the fact that he had chosen her.

But there were many things she did not know, starting with what tomorrow would hold. She would follow the boy home, she figured. But what was home, to him? Ana didn't linger on the thought. She let out a little sigh, and continued to preen at his pretty beige fur until her movements slowed and faltered into stillness. Still she stayed close.

And she would always stay close, as long as he would let her.